Submersible sump pump



Dec. 22, 1959 Filed Sept. 24, 1956 H. R. OLSON SUBMERSIBLE SUMP PUMP 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 gli@ INVENTOR. HEME/ark. 0L So/v BY Ma/ZW Dec. 22, 1959 Filed Sept. 24, 1956 H. R. oLsoN 2,918,016

SUBMERSIBLE SUMP PUMP 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ltr-mill |||1||r INVENTOR.

fzsRaERr R. 0.45m/ A296 'BY H16' ATTORNEYS,

United States Patent Giiice 2,918,016 Patented Dec. 22, 1959 SUBMERSIBLE SUMP PUlVIP Herbert R. Olson, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Swaby Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application September 24, 1956, Serial No. 611,648

1 Claim. (Cl. 103-87) My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in a submersible sump pump and has for its principal object the provision in a device of this character whereby the electrical pump motor is air-sealed within kthe pump housing.

Another equally important object of my invention is `the provision of a device of this character whereby the need formechanical waterproofing seals between the motor and its drive shaft and driven shaft is dispensed with.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a device of this character wherein the electrical conductor is sealed within a suitable housing and whereby each electrical strand is sealed to prevent bleeding of air therethrough.

Still another object of my invention is in the provision of a device of this character wherein there is provided a housing for all the operating mechanisms thereof and which housing by its construction provides a motor chamber which is protected from damage caused by different levels of sump fluid found in the sump with which the device is associated.

, Another and equally important object of my invention is the provision in a device of this character wherein the housing for such pump is so constructed as to provide an air chamber whereby the rise of sump fluid within such air chamber is resisted by the increasing pressure of such air against the rising of such fluid.

Yet another object of my invention is the provision in a device of this character wherein the operating mechanisms of such a pump are placed within the housing before the pump is placed within the sump and all such operating mechanisms are thereby protected from damage during installation and operation.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings showing the preferred form of construction, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of my submersible sump pump in operating position within a sump pump basin;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 1, but showing certain of the parts in section;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of my simplied means of connecting the motor drive shaft with the driven shaft of the pump impeller;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side View of a modified form of sump pump and basin cover;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a pump housing with a sealing junction box for electrical conductors thereof;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional viewl similar to Fig. 5.

Referring to Fig. 1 wherein I show my improved sump pump 10 in operating position within a basin .11, this basin has a suitable cover 12 which is provided with an aperture formed therein and through which a discharge pipe 14 is fixedly mounted. Also through the aperture 13 or through an aperture adjacent thereto, an insulated electrical conductor 15 is passed for connection to a suitable power source. Such aperture or apertures mayor may not have waterproof seals. In the successful operation and construction of my submersible sump pump, I find it necessary for reasons hereinafter made apparent, to prevent air or moisture leaks occurring in and around the electrical conductor 15. The construction which I employ to accomplish this will be hereinafter described.

The pump 10 comprises a cylindrical shell consisting of a top section 16 and a lower section 17. The top section 16 is of an integral construction and has an open bottom. This top section 16 provides anair chamber 23 when placed in its operative position as shown in Fig. 2. About the peripheral edge of the open bottom, the section 16 is provided with an 'internal flange 18. The lower section 17 is of a hollow cylindrical formation and has an integral top plate 19, the outer edge of which extends beyond the side walls of the section 17. The top plate 19 and the base portion of the flange 18 of the section 16 are secured together in any suitable manner such as by screws 20.

The top plate 19 has an integral vertically extending centrally located tubular support 21 extending upwardly therefrom. A series of apertures 22 are formed in the plate 19 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 around the support 21. These apertures 22 provide open communication between the air chamber 23"and the interior of the hollow lowersection'17.

A suitable electric motor is carried within a motor housing 23 within the air chamber 23 of the top section 16, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The motor housing 23 has a sleeve 24 formed on the bottom thereof. This sleeve 24 is of a size and shape to frictionally receive the support 21 and be supported thereon as shown 'in Figs. 1 and 2. A set screwy 25 is employed to securethe sleeve 24 to the support 21 in a fixed relation. When the sleeve 24 is so fittedon the support 21there is formed a second air chamber'24' having an open bottom and, except for size, being much like the air chamber 23 formed in the top section 16. The purpose of these air chambers 23 and 24' will be made more apparent hereinafter.

Within the support 21 and extending to the motor through the motor housing 23, is one free end of a drive shaft 26. Extending upwardly through the lower section 17 and projecting into the support 21 is one free end of a driving shaft 27. The end of the drive shaft 26 is iixedly connected to the free end of the driven shaft 27 by a sleeve 28. This sleeve 28 is of a size which permits it to be freely positioned within the support 21, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The shafts 26 and 27 are secured to the sleeve 28 by means of set screws or the like. The opposite end of the driven shaft 27 has xedly attached thereto an impeller 29 of any well-known construction. This impeller 29 is rotatably positioned Within a hollow base 30. The bottom wall of the section 17 is pro-vided with an internally extending ange 31 which carries an interiorly positioned bearing 32 through which the driven shaft 27 is rotatably journaled, as shown in Fig. 2. Between the flange 31 and the base 30 there is formed an impeller chamber 31 in which is located for rotation the impeller 29. The side wall of the bearing 32, like the lower side wall of the section 17, is provided with openings 32 through whichv the sump uid has communication with the impeller chamber andthe impeller 29, as well as free access to the interior of the lower section 17. The base 30 also provides suitable communication between the impeller chamber and a discharge pipe 14, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Carried at one side of the sleeve 24 formed on the motor housing 23 is a housing for a starting switch (not shown). This switch has an operating arm 33 which in turn is connected through a link arrangement to av iioat 34. The lower end of the oat 34 is freely journalled in an aperture formed in a ange member 35 carried at one side of the bearing 32, as shown in Fig. 2. While I do not wish to be limited to the use of any particular switch in conjunction with my pump nor do I wish to be limited to the oat type actuating mechanism' herein described and shown, I wish to note that such switch and actuating mechanism may include such well-known devices as a pressure operated switch or a weight displacement switch or a fluid level switch actuating mechanism and all such switches and actuating mechanisms would operate in the same manner and have no functional or structural differences from the type hereinbefor'e described and shown.

In' the construction of` my submersible' sump pump, the sections 16` and 17 which comprise the housing for the pump would be joined together to make up the cylindrical shell. The motor and the impeller and the switch operating mechanism would be placed in the shell before the sections 16 and 17 were connected. together. The base 30 would also be preiitted and eonnectedto the lower section 17 before the pump is delivered on location or. inserted into the sump basin.

To facilitate placing the sump pump into the' sump basin, I have provided a handle 36 carried' by the top of the section 16, asi shown in Figs. 2 and 3. As the pump is placed within the sump basin, the air that surrounds the motor housing 23 within the air chamber 23' will be trapped therein by the level of the sump Huid confined in the basin. Such trapped air provides at waterresisting seal for the motor and the operative connection between the drive shaft 26 and the driven shaft 27', as

shown in Figs. land 2. As such, it is readily appreciated that there also is trapped within the air chamber 24 a suitable amount of air which will likewise resist the rise of the sump uid therein. It is a well-knowny principle of physics that the higher the level of the sump fluid, the

greater the air pressure within the air chambers 23 and 24'. Thus, the pump motor and its operating mechanisms are at all times protected from damage due to sump uid. As these pumps are of electrical nature, it is readily apparent that such construction as hereinbefore described provides a safe and economical and effective means of providing a submersible sump pump.

It should also be pointed out that in a pump constructed in accordance with the hereinbefore described structural methods, the need for any mechanical seal between the motor drive shaft, the driven shaft, and the impeller is done away with. No special mechanical diaphragms are required to waterproof the motor from ther sump uid. There are no external parts that may become damaged or obstructed from debris or by reason of careless installation. Therefore, the construction, as hereinbefore pointed out, provides a simple' andi economical means of installingu and operating a sump pump;l Y

Referring to Fig. 4 in which I have shown a modified form of sumppump, the top section 37 of the cylindrical shell is an integral part of the basinv cover 38. The provision in such a construction of the top section.V 37 in' no way affects the provision therein of likeair chambers 39 and 40 which respectively surround. the electr-ical motor housing 41 and the. drive shaft connection 42,v

on the top section of a pump. This junction box 43 has an open top adapted to be closed by a cover 44 secured thereto by screws 45 or the like. In one side wall land in the bottom are formed suitable apertures 46 and 47 for the passage of the conductor 15. These apertures 46 and 47 together with the conductor 15 are sealed by the use of grommets 48. I Y

It is apparent that the electrical conductor 15 which passes through the air chamber 23' must be effectively sealed against air and water leaks. These leaks could occur through the copper wire strands of the conductor 15 or through the jute or cotton bers separating the individual wire strands within the conductor 15.

From the motor housing 23, the motor leads 49 are journalled through the grommet 48 into the junction box 43 and are therein joined to the wire strands 50 of the conductor I5. The joining of the leads 49 to the strands 50 is accomplished by soldering them together as at 51. The solder connections are supported by a n ononductive separating plate 52 as shown in Fig. 6. The groundwire 53 or conductor 15 is attached to the shell 16'` asv shown in Fig. 6. The junction boX structure 43 is then filled with potting compound 54. This potting compound is one having high dielectric and waterproofing properties over a wide range of temperatures and high resistance to oils, chemicals and aging. An example of a compound of this type is the synthetic rubber compound known as thiokol. While my illustration shows a permanent junction box carried by the shell 16 for receiving the' potting compound, the same results can be obtained by employing reusable molds. These molds could he adapted' to and fastened onto the conductor 15 at any desired point and in any suitable manner.

While I have illustrated and described theV preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variat-ion and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I,- therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself ofsuch variations and modifications as come within thescope of the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I cla-im as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

A submersible sump pump including a shell comprising a lower section and an upper section superimposed upon and in alignment with the lower section and communicating therewith and providing an air trap abovesaidlower section-,- the lower section having a plurality of slots formed in its side walls,V a motor includingA a dependingV shaft located in saidupper section, abase` on which the lower sectionV is mounted, a pump arranged in said base and including a shaft extending upwardly from the base into the lower section and in alignment with the shaft of the motor, a bearing formed integralwith the bottom wall of said lower section for said pump' shaft, said bearing being slottedV to opeul communication between the: base andthe lower section, a tubular sup-- port extending from' the top wall ofthe lower section and into the upper section, a sleeve carried by and extending from the motor and fitting over the supportl to provide with the support an air trap, and a coupler forthe' adjacent ends of said motor shaft and said pump shaft and located in said support.

References Cited in the tile' of` this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS' 1,355,755 Drysdale Oct. l2, 1920 1,812,874 Hedglon July 7, 1.931

1,929,754 McCord Oct. l'O, 1933 2,406,947 Harlamoff Sept. 3', 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS 615,128 Great Britain Ian. 1'7'-, 19.49

700,97() France` Y Mar. I9', 1931 

